Louis van Gaal explains his decision to hand Marouane Fellaini a striking role against Club Brugge.

Louis van Gaal will use Marouane Fellaini as a striker this season and the Manchester United manager believes the erstwhile midfielder can be dangerous as the main forward or in the No10 role.

United go into Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg at Club Brugge with a 3-1 advantage. Yet the first leg against last season’s Belgian runners-up was the only time United have scored more than one goal in their four games this season. Wayne Rooney, whom Van Gaal wants to score more than 25 goals this season, is yet to open his account. The captain has not scored in 10 competitive outings, his last coming on 4 April.

Last year Fellaini scored seven times and Van Gaal is clear the 27-year-old can offer a threat in attack. “He can play in a 9 position and in a 10 but also 6 and 8 but this year he shall play more 10 and 9 than 6 and 8 because there [in midfield] we have more players,” he said.

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Fellaini is ready to operate up front. “In the past I played No10 and No9 sometimes when I had to help the team,” he said. “It’s not important where I play, it’s important to win the game. It’s different playing midfielder and striker or No10 but I enjoy all the positions I can play.

“Last season I did well and I want to continue like that. I know the philosophy of the manager and am looking forward to doing well and scoring some goals.”

Van Gaal, who still hopes to add a forward and possibly a central defender before the transfer window closes, was asked if the present squad are equipped to be successful in the Champions League. “We have to wait and see,” he said of Thursday’s draw for the group stage. “It’s also dependable on the draw and the quality of our opponents. But first we have to beat Brugge so let’s see if we are continuing in this Champions League.”

Despite the 3-1 lead Matteo Darmian, the right-back, wants United to attack at the Jan Breydel Stadium. “For us, 0-0 would be a good result but we always try to win and it will be no different,” he told MUTV. “We know that they are a good team, particularly at home, but we’ll be going out to win and we know what we have do. We don’t think that it will be easy but it’s very important to all the people at the club for us to qualify.”

Michel Preud’homme is not optimistic of his side overturning United’s advantage. “Miracles happen sometimes but they are two goals in front and they are a very professional team,” the Bruges manager said.

“To get a miracle, you need to be perfect and you need the other to not play at his best potential. We have a lot of players out too. If we want to have a chance, we have to be perfect. It will be very difficult but let’s pray.”